Feeding mechanism for grinding mills



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENToR. John H0ZanaZ-L ez ATTORNEY.

J. HOLLAND-LETZ FEEDING MECHANISM FOR GRINDING MILLS Filed Aug. 6, 1950Feb. 6, 1934.

wb O Feb. 6, 1934. J. HoLLAND-LE-rz 1,946,084

FEEDING' MECHANISM FOR GRINDING' MILLS Filed Aug. 6, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTOR. JOZTL Holland-Le iz BY WM -FMI ATTORNEY.

Feb. 6, 1934. J. HoLLAND-LETZ FEEDING MECHANISM FOR GRINDING MILLS FiledA ug. 6, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 QA Ww wm o N Nu. Nm d A/ ,i l

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z mlm md M a .L 10 HW .RY hun 0 J Patented Feb. 6, i934 UNITED STATESPATENT ori-lcs John Holland-Letz, Crown Point, Ind., assignor to TheLetz Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Indiana Application August6, 1930. Serial No. 473,305

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to grinding mills generally, but moreparticularly to a feeding attachment therefor, for the feeding of hayand similar materials to the cutter head of the grinding mill.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved feeding mechanism attachment for grinding mills and the like,which is adapted to cooperate with the conveyor apron of the feedingmill so as to more positively insure the feeding of fluffy material suchas hay and the like, in proper volume to the cutter head of the mill.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedfeeding attachment for a grinding mill which is adapted to be used incornbination with a floating endless type feed belt which is locatedover the delivery end of the horizontal conveyor of the mill.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved feeding mechanism for a grinding mill, in which two revolvingtined members are located on the opposite sides of the conveyor apron ofthe mill, in combination with a horizontal revolving drum, which ispositioned in a relatively xed location directly over and adjacent thedelivery end of the conveyor of the mill.

These and other objects are accomplishedY by providing a constructionand arrangement of the various parts in the manner hereinafter describedand particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View,

f 35 partly in cross section, showing my improved feeding mechanismmounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the horizontal revolvingdrum.

In illustrating one form of my invention I have shown the same inconnection with thei conventional form of grinding mill, a fragmentaryportion of which is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings'. This millcomprises the usual frame 10, mounted on supporting legs 11. Mounted insuitable bearings on the main frame 10 is the usual main shaft l2, onwhich is mounted the usual cutter head 13. Connected to the forward sideof the frame 10 is the usual horizontally extending platform or conveyortrough generally indicated by the reference character 14. This conveyortrough 14 comprises two angle members 15 which are secured to the mainframe 10 adjacent the mill proper, while the other end of the trough issupported on legs not shown. Mounted in the trough 14 is an endlessconveyor, generally indicated by the reference character 16. Thisconveyor comprises a plurality of slats 17. Each of these individualslats are 50 connected with conventional form of chain links 18, whichin turn are trained about a sprocket wheel 19 secured to the shaft 20.Secured to the side angle members 15 of trough 14'and extendingoutwardly and upwardly at a slight angle with respect to the trough, aretable extension members 21, which have their forward ends connected by atransverse table member 22. (See Fig. 2.) Secured to the side framemembers 15 adjacent the cutter head 13 by plates 24. Journaled insuitable bearings in the side plates 24, is a shaft 25. Oscillatablymounted onthe shaft 25 is a floating feed belt frame 26, which comprisesa rearwardly projecting arm v2'7 and an L shaped bracket 28. Journaledon the 7 free ends of the L shaped bracket 28 are two rollers 29.Secured to the shaft 25 are two spaced apart sprockets (not shown) aboutwhich is trained an endless belt 30. This endless belt 30 is trainedabout the rollers 29 and the sprockets 80 mounted on the shaft 25 (notshown) so as toform in effect a floating feedl belt, which is positioneddirectly over the delivery end of the conveyor belt 16 adjacent thecutter head. The mechanism thus far described covers in a general Way,the description of a conventional form of grinding mill heretofore used.

The essential feature of the present invention has to do with a feedingmechanism attachment which is adapted to be attached to the mill abovedescribed so as to more efciently'and properly feed fluffy material tothe cutter head, such for instance', as hay and the like.

This novel feeding mechanism attachment comprises vertical side plateextensions 31, Which are 9 secured by means of bolts of the side plates24 and to the angle members 15 of the trough 14. Secured to the outsideof the angle members 15 and to the'outside of the side-plate extensions31 are means of bolts 23, are side 70k vertical frame angle members 32,which have their-upper ends connected and braced together by means of atransverse bar 33, rotatably mounted in suitable bearing supports abovethe -conveyor apronv 16.v Adjacent the floating apron 30 is ahorizontally revolving drum generally indicated by the referencecharacter 34. This revolving drum comprises external and internalcylindrical members'35 and 36; the cylindrical member 36 being ofsmaller diameter than the member 35.' These cylindrical members aresupported on two oppositely disposed spiders 37 and 38 by means of bolts39. The spider 38 has formed integrally therewith a bearing sleeve 40,which in turn is journaled in a bearing bracket 41 secured to one of theside angle members 32. The sleeve 41 is provided on its outer ends, witha non-circular socket 42, which is adapted in engagement therewith, acomplimentary projecting hub 43 formed on the sprocket 44. The sleeve 40and the sprocket wheel 44 are journaled on a stub shaft 45 and are heldthereon by a collar 46 secured to the shaft 45 by a pin 47. Secured tothe inner end of the stationery stub shaft 45 by means of a pin 48 is anarm 49. The arm 49 extends in a horizontal plane forwardly and hassecured thereto by means of another pin 50 a stationary shaft 5l. Theshaft 51 has its other end supported by a similar arm 52 to which it issecured by means of a pin. 53. The other end of the arm 52 is secured toa stub shaft 54 by means of a pin 55. The stub shaft 54 is stationaryand is rsecured by means of a pin56 to a support bracket 57 which inturn is secured to theV other vertical side frame members 32. Mounted onthe stationary shaft 51k are a plurality of tines 58 which have eyeportions 59 for embracing the shaft 51 and are adapted to extend throughapertures 66 formed cn the inner cylindrical member 36 of the drum 34.Registering with the apertures 60 are formed in the outer cylindricalmember 35, is slotted aperture 61 through which the tines 58 are adaptedto reciprocate. From the above description it will be readily understoodthat the shaft 51 remains stationary and is located eccentric withrespect to the axis of the revolving drum 34, so that as the cylinderrevolves, these tines are made to project forwardly through theperiphery of the drum on the forward side thereof and are withdrawn onthe rearward side.

Each of the tines being withdrawn inwardly sufficiently from the outercylinder so as to completely strip the hay or other material passingthrough the machine from the tines. From Fig. 1 of the drawings it willbe seen that there are eight `sets of tines projecting throughout theperiphery of the cylinder and vthat there are three tines to each set,which are in transverse alignment.

Cooperating with this horizontal revolving drum, are two oppositelydisposed revolving tine members, which are arranged in a slight anglewith respect to each other on the opposite sides of the conveyor 17 andlocated at a point adjacent to the horizontal revolving drum whichcomprises two bearing brackets 62 secured to the sidev frame members 15by means of two transversely extending spaced apart angle members 63.These transverse angle members 63 are secured to the angle members 15 inany well known manner, but preferably by hook bolts (not shown). Thebearing brackets 62 are secured to the transverse angle members 63 bymeans of bolt 64. Formed integrally with each of the bearing brackets 62are bearing barrels 65 in which are journaled a transverse shaft 66.Secured to one side of the longitudinal center of the shaft 66 is asprocket wheel 67 which is geared by means of chain 68 to a sprocket 69secured to the shaft 20. Secured to the outer opposite ends of the shaft66 are beveled gears 70 which in turn mesh with beveled gears 71. Thegears 71 in turn are secured to the shafts 72 located on the oppositesides of the conveyor 16. These shafts are located at an angle withrespect to the horizontal conveyor and converge toward their'upper ends.The upper ends of the shafts 72 arejournaled in bearings 75 secured toangle members hereinafter described. The shafts 72 extend throughapertures in the inclined tables 21 as clearly shown in'Fig. 2. Securedto each of the shafts 72 and in spaced relation with respect to eachother, are plurality of discs or plates 73. Secured to each of thesediscs 73 by means of bolts 74 are a plurality of curved angularlydisposed spring fingers or tines 75. The spring fingers or tines of eachof these discs are arranged in substantial vertical alignment and movein unison with respect to each other.l Secured to each of the side plateextensions 31 and to each of the vertical members 32 are side wallextensions 76 which have their foremost ends diverging as shown at 78 soas to form a relatively large mouth for the reception of the materialbeing conveyed to the cutter head. See Fig. 2. Each of these side wallextensions 76 and diverging extensions 78 are reinforced by anglemembers 79 and 80, respectively and are braced across by cross bars 81.The foremost" ends of the extensions 78 are secured to verticalsupporting angle members 80. Each of these side wall extensions anddiverging extensions 76 and 78 respectively are provided withlongitudinally extending slots 81 so as to form in effect stripperplates for the spring tines 75 which are adapted to extend therethroughfor conveying the material toward the cutter head.

The power is transmitted from the main shaft 12 of the cutter head to myimproved feeding attachment and the various movable elements thereof, bymeans of a beveled pinion 82 which is secured to the shaft 12 and whichin turn meshes with a beveled gear 83 journaled on a stub shaft 84.Formed integrally with the gear 83 is a pinion 85 which in turn mesheswith a gear 86 journaled on a stub shaft 87. The gear 86 has a gear 88formed integrally therewith, which in turn, drives another idler gear89. The gear 89 in turn has a gear 90 formed integrally therewith whichmeshes with and operatively drives the gear 91. The gear 91 meshesfwitha gear 92 secured tothe shaftV 20 through the medium of which horizontalconveyor belt 16 is driven and also through the medium of which theshaft '66 is driven. Formed integrally with the gear 91 is a sprocket 93which is geared through the medium of a chain 94 to a sprocket wheel 95secured to the shaft 25 for driving the floating feed belt 30. Securedto the shaft 25 adjacent the gear 95 is a second sprocket 96 which isgeared by means Vof a chain 97 to the sprocket 98 for driving therevolving drum 34.

From the above description it will be readily seen that by positioningthe rotary tined members at a slight angle inwardly with respect to thevertical, that is, by converging the upper( ends of these rotary ing ahorizontal tined roller in close proximity thereto and forwardly of aVfloating feed belt that I have provided a very efficient positivemembers, and by position- .135

means for feedingV fluffy material such as hay.l

and the like, to the cutter head of a grinding mechanism and one whichwill effectively engage and force the material in uniform volumeregardless of the height to which it may be piled upon the conveyortrough.

' While in the above specication I have-dis closed one embodiment whichmy invention may assume in practice, it will of course, be understoodthat the same is capableof modification, and that modication may bemadewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the following claims:

What I claim is my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a feeding mechanism, the combination with a grinding mill, acutter head, a horizontal conveyor for feeding the material to saidcutter head, a floating feed belt located over the delivery end of saidconveyor, a horizontally disposed feed roller having eccentricallyactuated fingers projecting through the periphery thereof, said rollerlocated above said horizontal conveyor forwardly of said floating feedbelt, two angularly disposed rotating members having substantiallyradially disposed spring fingers normally extending over the path ofsaid horizontal conveyor, and means for driving said horizontal rollerand said rotating members through the shaft of said cutter head.

2. The combination with a grinding mill having a cutter head, ahorizontal conveyor, a floating conveyor located over the delivery endof said horizontal conveyor, a rotating feed roller located forwardly ofsaid floating feed belt and above said horizontal conveyontwo oppositelydisposed rotating feed members located on the opposite sides of saidconveyor and having their axis inclined inwardly toward the upper endthereof for cooperation with said horizontal conveyor for feeding thematerial to said cutter head.

3. In a feeding mechanism, the combination with a grinding mill, acutter head, a conveyor for feeding the material to said cutter head, aoating feed belt pivoted over the delivery end of said conveyor, ahorizontal feed roller positioned over said horizontal conveyor adjacentsaid floating feed belt, said horizontal roller having a plurality ofreciprocable ngers projecting through the periphery thereof, a pluralityof substantially vertically disposed rotating tines located on theopposite sides of said conveyor and extending over the paths of saidhorizontal conveyor, and substantially vertically disposed stripperplates locatedon the opposite sides of said conveyor, having slotstherebetween through which the tines project for conveying the materialto said cutter head.

4. In a feeding mechanism, the combination with a grinding mill, acutter head, a conveyor for feeding material to said cutter head, afloating feed belt located over the delivery end of said conveyor, twosubstantially vertically disposed rotating tine members located on theopposite sides of said conveyor, and vertically disposed stationarystripper plates through which tines extend for conveying the material tosaid cutter head.

5. In with a grinding mill, a cutter head, a conveyor for feeding thematerial to said cutter head, a floating feed belt located over thedelivery end of said conveyor, two substantially vertically disposedrotating members located on the opposite sides of said conveyor adjacentsaid oating feed belt, curved springed tines projecting from saidrotating members, and extending over the paths of said conveyors, twosubstantially vertically disposed stripper plates located inwardly ofsaid rotating members through which said tines project, and divergingextending shields forming a continuation of said stripper plates forminga mouth through which the material is fed to said cutter head.

6. In a feeding mechanism, the combination with a grinding mill, acutter head, conveyor for feeding material into said cutter head, aiioating feed belt located over the delivery end'of said conveyor, avrelatively fixed rotating feed roller mounted on a horizontal axisabovesaid conveyor and forwardly of said iioating feed belt, said feedroller having a plurality of reciprocating tines adapted to project eryof said roller, two angularly disposed rotating members located on theopposite sides of said conveyor adjacent said roller, a plurality ofcurved springed tines projecting from the axis of said rotary membersand extending over the path of said conveyor, and substantiallyvertically disposed stripper plates located on the inner sides of saidrotating members for stripping the material from said tines as thematerial isv conveyed thereby into said cutter head,

JOHN HOLLAND-LETZ.

through the periph-Y a feedingV mechanism, the combination i

